Picking The Right College for You

This is the time of year where many of us are sending out college applications, being accepted to more then one university and maybe even transferring schools.  Whatever the case may be the decision on where you hope to spend the next 4 years is a hard one.  Hopefully these 10 tips can help the decision making process and easier one. 

   ·      Comparing schools off the financial aide package being offered is a good place to start.  No one should stretch an already tight budget or put themselves in a difficult situation.   Sit down with a parent, know your budget and go from there.

   ·      place, Place, PLACE! Know where you want to go.  Your college experience is not just going to be on campus.  Get to know the whole area, make sure your comfortable and make sure you can stay safe and focused.

   ·      Map out a timeline of deadlines and due dates.  Many schools need certain deposits by a certain date and it would suck to miss that.

·          Make a visit to the school.  What is shown on the website is edited; get to know the campus and the people.

·          Do not get caught up on the name.  Sure everyone would love to go to Howard or Hampton but it’s expensive. There is nothing wrong with staying local.

·          Get to know all university policies, such as housing availability, rules about having cars, or graduation requirements.

·          Know that it is okay to be undecided for a few, just remember to take all your general classes first while you figure things out.

·          Try something new; don’t follow your best friend of to college.  You will still talk and see each other.

·          Develop a plan, of what needs to be done and how you can get it done.  Leave room for mistakes because college is full of them.

·          Speak with a guidance counselor, a current college student, or an admissions representative. 

Remember college is the best years of your life.  Seriously it is, so make sure you enjoy it.  Choose the right school that fits you.

                                               

                                                                                                -Amethyst